Drinks sales bounce-back after tough Valentines

Drinks sales in the UK’s managed venues rose 4% in the week ended Saturday 22 February, only the second week of growth in 2025.

Trading beat the levels of last year on six of the seven days, and was ahead by between 8% and 11% every day between 17 to 20 February, although this was compared with a week of bad weather in 2024.

There was a reversal of fortunes for most drinks categories over the week, with soft drinks growth particularly strong at 13%.

Wine sales were up 7%, beer sales up 4% with cider sales up 3% but spirits sales fell 8%, another bad week for the category.

This increase came after trading fell 11% year-on-year for the week ended Saturday 15 February, a poor Valentines showing.

In this time there were double-digit declines in sales of spirits, down 18%, soft drinks, down 19% and cider, down 11%, though beer and wine, both down 7%, were slightly more resilient.

Rachel Weller, CGA by NIQ’s commercial lead, UK and Ireland, said: “Pressure on disposable incomes, storms and Dry January have made it a difficult start to the year for some On Premise venues and suppliers, but mid-February’s revival brings some welcome relief.

“February’s fluctuations emphasise the volatility of the trading landscape at the moment, and many consumers are clearly still hesitant about spending. It remains to be seen whether this is the prelude to a more positive Spring or just a brief respite.”

Mid-January saw a 5% dip in sales thanks to Storm Éowyn, which was followed by a year-on-year drop of 2% in the first full week of February.